Fire pit systems and methods of making and using the same

ABSTRACT

Fire pit systems including a base pan member having a base pan member lower wall with a pan outer periphery, and one or more side walls extending upward from the base pan member lower wall and along the pan outer periphery; at least two rod members extending upward along opposite sides of the pan outer periphery; and one or more additional accessories that are attachable to and detachable from at least one of the at least two rod members, the one or more additional accessories comprising a griddle, a grill, a coffee pot, a Dutch oven, a tubular spacer, a pot holder, a horizontal bar extending between two rod members of the at least two rod members, a warming tray, or any combination thereof. Methods of making and using the fire pit systems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional patent application of U.S.Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/495,519 entitled “FIRE PITSYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME” filed on Apr. 24,2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,588,455, which claims the benefit of priorityto (i) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/327,496 entitled“FIRE PIT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME” filed onApr. 26, 2016, and (ii) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.62/382,436 entitled “FIRE PIT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USINGTHE SAME” filed on Sep. 1, 2016, the subject matter of all of which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to fire pit systems. The presentinvention is further directed to methods of making and using fire pitsystems.

BACKGROUND

Efforts continue to further develop fire pit systems.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses some of the difficulties and problemsdiscussed above by the discovery of new fire pit systems.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to fire pit systems. Inone exemplary embodiment, the fire pit systems of the present inventioncomprise: (I) a base pan member comprising: a base pan member lower wallhaving a pan outer periphery, and one or more side walls extendingupward from the base pan member and along the pan outer periphery; (II)at least two rod members extending upward along opposite sides of thepan outer periphery; and (III) one or more additional accessories thatare attachable to and detachable from at least one of the at least tworod members, the one or more additional accessories comprising agriddle, a grill, a coffee pot, a Dutch oven, a tubular spacer, a potholder, a horizontal bar extending between two rod members of said atleast two rod members, or any combination thereof.

In another exemplary embodiment, the fire pit systems of the presentinvention comprise: (I) a base pan member comprising: a base pan memberlower wall having a pan outer periphery, and one or more side wallsextending upward from the base pan member and along the pan outerperiphery; (II) at least two rod members extending upward along oppositesides of the pan outer periphery; (III) one or more additionalaccessories that are attachable to and detachable from at least one ofthe at least two rod members, the one or more additional accessoriescomprising a griddle, a grill, a coffee pot, a Dutch oven, a tubularspacer, a pot holder, a horizontal bar extending between two rod membersof said at least two rod members, or any combination thereof; and (IV)two or more ring members, each ring member comprising: a ring basehaving a ring outer periphery, at least two ring connectors alongopposite sides of the ring outer periphery, and at least two ringtubular members extending substantially perpendicular to the ring base,the at least two ring tubular members being attached to the ring basevia the at least two ring connectors; wherein each ring tubular memberhas a tubular diameter that enables the two or more ring members to bepositioned and stacked along the at least two rod members.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the fire pit systems of the presentinvention comprise: (I) a base pan member comprising: a base pan memberlower wall having a pan outer periphery, and one or more side wallsextending upward from the base pan member and along the pan outerperiphery; (II) at least two rod members extending upward along oppositesides of the pan outer periphery; and at least one of: (III)(A) agriddle that is attachable to and detachable from at least one of the atleast two rod members; (III)(B) a grill that is attachable to anddetachable from at least one of the at least two rod members; and(III)(C) two or more ring members, each ring member comprising: a ringbase having a ring outer periphery, at least two ring connectors alongopposite sides of the ring outer periphery, and at least two ringtubular members extending substantially perpendicular to the ring base,the at least two ring tubular members being attached to the ring basevia the at least two ring connectors; wherein each ring tubular memberhas a tubular diameter that enables the two or more ring members to bepositioned and stacked along the at least two rod members.

The present invention further relates to kits for forming the fire pitsystems of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the kitcomprises any combination of the fire pit system components and featuresdescribed herein.

In another exemplary embodiment, the kit comprises: (I) a base panmember comprising: a base pan member lower wall having a pan outerperiphery, and one or more side walls extending upward from said basepan member lower wall and along said pan outer periphery; (II) at leasttwo rod members extending upward along opposite sides of said pan outerperiphery; and one or more of: (III)(A) a griddle that is attachable toand detachable from at least one of said at least two rod members;(III)(B) a grill that is attachable to and detachable from at least oneof said at least two rod members; and (III)(C) two or more ring members,each ring member comprising: a ring base having a ring outer periphery,at least two ring connectors along opposite sides of said ring outerperiphery, and at least two ring tubular members extending substantiallyperpendicular to said ring base, said at least two ring tubular membersbeing attached to said ring base via said at least two ring connectors;wherein each ring tubular member has a tubular diameter d_(tm) thatenables said two or more ring members to be positioned and stacked alongsaid at least two rod members. Any of the herein-disclosed kits mayfurther comprise a carrying case sized to house said kit for storage andtransport.

The present invention further relates to methods of making fire pitsystems. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of making a fire pitsystem comprises: (I) forming a base pan member comprising: a base panmember lower wall having a pan outer periphery, and one or more sidewalls extending upward from the base pan member and along the pan outerperiphery; (II) forming at least two rod members that are attachable anddetachable from the base pan member, and when assembled, extend upwardalong opposite sides of the pan outer periphery; and (III) forming oneor more additional accessories that are attachable to and detachablefrom at least one of the at least two rod members, the one or moreadditional accessories comprising a griddle, a grill, a coffee pot, aDutch oven, a tubular spacer, a pot holder, a horizontal bar extendingbetween two rod members of said at least two rod members, or anycombination thereof.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method of making a fire pit systemcomprises: (I) forming a base pan member comprising: a base pan memberlower wall having a pan outer periphery, and one or more side wallsextending upward from the base pan member and along the pan outerperiphery; (II) forming at least two rod members that are attachable anddetachable from the base pan member, and when assembled, extend upwardalong opposite sides of the pan outer periphery; (III) forming one ormore additional accessories that are attachable to and detachable fromat least one of the at least two rod members, the one or more additionalaccessories comprising a griddle, a grill, a coffee pot, a Dutch oven, atubular spacer, a pot holder, a horizontal bar extending between two rodmembers of said at least two rod members, or any combination thereof and(IV) forming two or more ring members, each ring member comprising: aring base having a ring outer periphery, at least two ring connectorsalong opposite sides of the ring outer periphery, and at least two ringtubular members extending substantially perpendicular to the ring base,the at least two ring tubular members being attached to the ring basevia the at least two ring connectors; wherein each ring tubular memberhas a tubular diameter that enables the two or more ring members to bepositioned and stacked along the at least two rod members. Desirably,the two or more ring members are positionable and stackable along the atleast two rod members so that the ring outer periphery of the two ormore ring members is positioned above and within the pan outer peripheryof the base pan member.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the method of making a fire pitsystem comprises: (I) forming a base pan member comprising: a base panmember lower wall having a pan outer periphery, and one or more sidewalls extending upward from the base pan member and along the pan outerperiphery; (II) forming at least two rod members that are attachable anddetachable from the base pan member, and when assembled, extend upwardalong opposite sides of the pan outer periphery; and forming at leastone of: (III)(A) a griddle that is attachable to and detachable from atleast one of the at least two rod members; (III)(B) a grill that isattachable to and detachable from at least one of the at least two rodmembers; and (III)(C) two or more ring members, each ring membercomprising: a ring base having a ring outer periphery, at least two ringconnectors along opposite sides of the ring outer periphery, and atleast two ring tubular members extending substantially perpendicular tothe ring base, the at least two ring tubular members being attached tothe ring base via the at least two ring connectors; wherein each ringtubular member has a tubular diameter d_(tm) that enables the two ormore ring members to be positioned and stacked along the at least tworod members; (III)(B).

The present invention even further relates to methods of using fire pitsystems. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of using a fire pitsystem comprises: burning a combustible material (e.g., wood and/orcharcoal) within the base pan member of the herein-disclosed fire pitsystems. Methods of using a fire pit system of the present invention mayfurther comprise any one or combination of the following steps:attaching the at least two rod members to the base pan member; attachingthe three or more pan legs to the base pan member; positioning the twoor more ring members on the at least two rod members; attaching one ormore additional accessories to at least one of the at least two rodmembers, the one or more additional accessories comprising a griddle, agrill, a coffee pot, a Dutch oven, a tubular spacer, a pot holder, ahorizontal bar extending between two rod members of said at least tworod members, or any combination thereof; cooking food above the base panmember; positioning the combustible material within the base pan member;positioning the two or more ring members along the at least two rodmembers so as to prevent the combustible material from falling out ofthe base pan member; disassembling all of the components of the fire pitsystem; and packaging all of the components of the fire pit systemwithin a carrying case.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent after a review of the following detailed description ofthe disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fire pit system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG.1 ;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 1as viewed from the right-hand side of the exemplary fire pit systemshown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 1as viewed from the left-hand side of the fire pit system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exemplary fire pit system shown inFIG. 1 in a partially disassembled/assembled state;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another exemplary fire pit system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a frontal view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG.9 ;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 9as viewed from the right-hand side of the exemplary fire pit systemshown in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 9as viewed from the left-hand side of the exemplary fire pit system shownin FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG.9 ;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary fire pit system of thepresent invention assembled and ready for use;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary kit for forming anexemplary fire pit system of the present invention, the components ofthe exemplary kit being dissembled and ready for storage and/ortransport;

FIG. 18 is a perspective front view of another exemplary fire pit systemof the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective rear view of the exemplary fire pit systemshown in FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21A is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG.18 when in a “use” position; and

FIG. 21B is a side view of the exemplary fire pit system shown in FIG.18 when in a “storage” or “transport” position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention,descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow andspecific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations,further modifications, and such further applications of the principlesof the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normallyoccur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains.

The present invention is directed to fire pit systems. The presentinvention is further directed to methods of making fire pit systems. Thepresent invention is even further directed to methods of using fire pitsystems.

The fire pit systems of the present invention are further described inthe following embodiments.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Fire Pit Systems

1. A fire pit system 100 comprising: (I) a base pan member 10comprising: a base pan member lower wall 11 having a pan outer periphery12, and one or more side walls 13 extending upward from said base panmember lower wall 11 and along said pan outer periphery 12; (II) atleast two rod members 14 extending upward along opposite sides 15 a/15 bof said pan outer periphery 12; and (III) one or more additionalaccessories that are attachable to and detachable from at least one ofsaid at least two rod members 14, said one or more additionalaccessories comprising a griddle 40, a grill 50, a coffee pot (notshown), a Dutch oven (not shown), a tubular spacer (i.e., not shown, butsimilar to a ring tubular member 24 alone), a pot holder 73, ahorizontal bar 74 extending between two rod members 14 of said at leasttwo rod members 14, a warming tray 75, or any combination thereof. See,for example, the exemplary accessories shown in FIGS. 17-19 .2. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 1, further comprising a griddle40 that is attachable to and detachable from at least one of said atleast two rod members 14.3. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising agrill 50 that is attachable to and detachable from at least one of saidat least two rod members 14.4. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, whereinsaid griddle 40 and said grill 50 are each independently (i) attachableto and detachable from a single rod member 14 of said at least two rodmembers 14, and (ii) are rotatable from a first position over said basepan member 10 (i.e., a cooking position) to a second position that isnot over said base pan member 10 (i.e., a non-cooking position).5. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, whereinsaid griddle 40 comprises one or more griddle connectors 43 designed toconnect said griddle 40 to one or more rod members 14 of said at leasttwo rod members 14; and said grill 50 comprises one or more grillconnectors 53 designed to connect said grill 50 to one or more rodmembers 14 of said at least two rod members 14. It should be understoodthat any connector may be used as said one or more griddle connectors 43and said one or more grill connectors 53, for example, clamps,nuts/bolts, etc.6. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, whereinsaid griddle 40 comprises one or more griddle tubular members 44designed to connect said griddle 40 to one or more rod members 14 ofsaid at least two rod members 14; and said grill 50 comprises one ormore grill tubular members 54 designed to connect said grill 50 to oneor more rod members 14 of said at least two rod members 14. Although notshown, each griddle 40 and each grill 50 may comprise any mechanism forattaching a given griddle 40 and/or grill 50 to one or more rod members14 of said at least two rod members 14. For example, clamps (not shown),nuts/bolts (not shown), etc. may be used instead of griddle tubularmembers 44 or grill tubular members 54 although griddle tubular members44 and grill tubular members 54 are preferred.7. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, whereineach of (i) said griddle 40 and (ii) said grill 50 further comprises atleast one attachment member 60 designed to temporarily fix (i) saidgriddle 40 and/or (ii) said grill 50 at a position along one or more ofsaid at least two rod members 14. It should be understood that any typeof attachment member 60 may be used to temporarily fix (i) said griddle40 and/or (ii) said grill 50 at a position along one or more of said atleast two rod members 14, for example, clamps, nuts/bolts, etc.8. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, whereinsaid base pan member lower wall 11 comprises a continuous wall (i.e.,without apertures therein, although one or more apertures, e.g., drains,could be present in some embodiments if so desired). As shown in FIG. 15, base pan member 10 may further comprise reinforcement member 111 alongbase pan member bottom surface 112 of base pan member lower wall 11.Although not shown, base pan member 10 may comprise one or morereinforcement members 111 along any surface or edge of base pan member10 (e.g., along upper edge 114 of base pan member 10 shown in FIG. 16 ).9. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, whereinsaid base pan member lower wall 11 has a circular shape, said pan outerperiphery 12 has a circular shape, and said one more side walls 13comprises a single side wall 13 that has a circular shape.10. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, whereinsaid base pan member lower wall 11 has a three or more-sided shape, saidpan outer periphery 12 has a three or more-sided shape, and said one ormore side walls 13 comprises three or more side walls 13 that have athree or more-sided shape. See, for example, exemplary fire pit system100 with four sides shown in FIGS. 18-21B. As used herein, the phrase“three or more-sided shape” is used to describe any geometric shapehaving three or more sides (e.g., a triangle, a square, a rectangle, ahexagon, etc.).11. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 8 or 10,wherein said base pan member lower wall 11 has a four-sided shape, saidpan outer periphery 12 has a four-sided shape, and said one or more sidewalls 13 comprises four side walls 13 that have a four-sided shape. See,for example, exemplary fire pit system 100 shown in FIGS. 18-21B.12. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 11, wherein said four-sidedshape comprising a rectangular shape, said pan outer periphery 12 has arectangular shape, and said one or more side walls 13 comprises fourside walls 13 that have a rectangular shape. See again, for example,exemplary fire pit system 100 shown in FIGS. 18-21B.13. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, whereinsaid at least two rod members 14 comprises from 4 to about 12 rodmembers 14.14. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, whereinsaid at least two rod members 14 comprise from 6 to about 10 rod members14.15. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, whereineach of said one or more side walls 13 has a side wall height, h_(sw),that ranges from about 1.0 inch (in) to about 12.0 in (or any valuebetween 1.0 in and 12.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 4.6 in, orany range of values between 1.0 in and 12.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in,e.g., from about 3.0 in to about 4.4 in).16. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, whereinsaid base pan member 10 has a pan width, w_(p), that ranges from about6.0 in to about 42.0 in (or any value between 6.0 in and 42.0 in, inincrements of 0.1 in, e.g., 18.0 in, or any range of values between 6.0in and 42.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 16.6 in toabout 36.1 in).17. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, whereinsaid base pan member 10 has a pan length that ranges from about 6.0 into about 90.0 in (or any value between 6.0 in and 90.0 in, in incrementsof 0.1 in, e.g., 18.0 in, or any range of values between 6.0 in and 90.0in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 16.6 in to about 78.4 in).18. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, whereinsaid base pan member 10 further comprises three or more leg connectors17 positioned along a lower surface 19 of said base pan member lowerwall 11 proximate said pan outer periphery 12, each of said three ormore leg connectors 17 being sized to connect to a pan leg 30.19. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, whereinsaid base pan member 10 further comprises four or more leg connectors 17positioned along a lower surface 19 of said base pan member lower wall11 proximate said pan outer periphery 12, each of said four or more legconnectors 17 being sized to connect to a pan leg 30.20. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, whereinsaid base pan member 10 further comprises three or more pan legs 30extending downward from said base pan member lower wall 11 proximatesaid pan outer periphery 12.21. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 20, wherein an upper portion31 of each of said three or more pan legs 30 is positionable orpositioned within a corresponding leg connector 17 of said three or moreleg connectors 17.22. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein each of saidthree or more pan legs 30 is moveable from a use position to a storageposition, said storage position being a position in which said three ormore pan legs 30 are substantially along said base pan member lower wall11. See, for example, exemplary fire pit system 100 shown in a useposition in FIG. 21A and in a storage (or transport) position in FIG.21B.23. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, furthercomprising two or more wheels 70 positioned below said base pan memberlower wall 11. See, for example, exemplary fire pit system 100 shown inFIGS. 18-21B.24. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 20 to 23, furthercomprising two wheels 70 positioned along a lower end of two pan legs 30within said three or more pan legs 30.25. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 20 to 24, whereinsaid three or more pan legs 30 comprises four pan legs 30. As shown inFIGS. 18-21B, exemplary fire pit system 100 comprises four pan legs 30with a leg stabilizing member 71 extending between a front pair of legs30 and a rear pair of legs 30. Leg positioning members 72 also connectand position each leg 30 in a use position.26. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 20 to 25, whereineach of said three or more pan legs 30 has a leg length, L_(L), thatranges from about 6.0 in to about 36.0 in (or any value between 6.0 inand 36.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 8.0 in, or any range ofvalues between 6.0 in and 36.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., fromabout 12.6 in to about 28.4 in).27. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, whereineach of said at least two rod members 14 has a rod length, r_(L), thatranges from about 6.0 in to about 36.0 in (or any value between 6.0 inand 36.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 18.0 in, or any range ofvalues between 6.0 in and 36.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., fromabout 12.6 in to about 28.4 in). Although not shown in the figures, itshould be noted that a given rod member 14 may comprise a single lengthof rod material or two or more lengths of rod material combined with oneanother so as to form the above-mentioned overall rod length, r_(L). Forexample, a given rod member 14 may have an overall rod length, r_(L), of3.0 feet (ft) with the rod member 14 comprising three sections (notshown) connectable to one another with each section being 1.0 ft inlength so as to form the 3.0 ft long rod member 14.28. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 27, whereineach of said at least two rod members 14 has a rod width (i.e.,diameter), r_(w), that ranges from about 0.5 in to about 4.0 in (or anyvalue between 0.5 in and 4.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 1.0 in,or any range of values between 0.5 in and 4.0 in, in increments of 0.1in, e.g., from about 0.6 in to about 1.5 in).29. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, furthercomprising: (IV) two or more ring members 20, each ring member 20comprising: a ring base 21 having a ring outer periphery 22, at leasttwo ring connectors 23 along opposite sides 25 a/25 b of said ring outerperiphery 22, and at least two ring tubular members 24 extendingsubstantially perpendicular to said ring base 21, said at least two ringtubular members 24 being attached to said ring base 21 via said at leasttwo ring connectors 23; wherein each ring tubular member 24 has atubular diameter d_(tm) that enables said at least two or more ringmembers 20 to be positioned and stacked along said at least two rodmembers 14. As shown in FIGS. 1-17 , in some embodiments, fire pitsystem 100 of the present invention comprises two rod members 14, andeach ring member 20 comprises two ring connectors 23 and two ringtubular members 24. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 18-21B,fire pit system 100 of the present invention may comprise up to twelve,as shown, (i.e., 5 rod members 14 along each longer edge and 3 rodmembers 14 along the shorter edges) or more two rod members 14, and eachring member 20 (i.e., rectangular ring member 20, not shown) maycomprise up to twelve ring connectors 23 and up to twelve ring tubularmembers 24. Although not shown, it should be understood that eachrectangular ring member 20 can have a configuration similar to theconfiguration of circular ring member 20 shown in FIGS. 1-17 except ringbase 21 has a rectangular shape as opposed to a circular shape. Further,although not shown, each ring member 20 may comprise any mechanism forattaching a given ring member 20 to one or more rod members 14 of saidat least two rod members 14. For example, clamps (not shown), nuts/bolts(not shown), etc. may be used instead of ring tubular members 24although ring tubular members 24 are preferred.30. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 29, wherein said ring outerperiphery 22 has a ring diameter, R_(d), that ranges from about 5.0 into about 34.0 in (or any value between 5.0 in and 34.0 in, in incrementsof 0.1 in, e.g., 16.0 in, or any range of values between 5.0 in and 34.0in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 11.6 in to about 26.4 in).31. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 29 or 30, wherein said ringouter periphery 22 has a ring width, R_(w), that ranges from about 6.0in to about 42.0 in (or any value between 6.0 in and 42.0 in, inincrements of 0.1 in, e.g., 18.0 in, or any range of values between 6.0in and 42.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 16.6 in toabout 36.1 in), and a ring length that ranges from about 6.0 in to about90.0 in (or any value between 6.0 in and 90.0 in, in increments of 0.1in, e.g., 18.0 in, or any range of values between 6.0 in and 90.0 in, inincrements of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 16.6 in to about 78.4 in).32. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 29 to 31, whereineach of said at least two ring tubular members 24 has a tubular memberheight, tm_(h), that ranges from about 2.0 in to about 8.0 in (or anyvalue between 2.0 in and 8.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 5.5 in,or any range of values between 2.0 in and 8.0 in, in increments of 0.1in, e.g., from about 4.2 in to about 6.0 in).33. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 29 to 32, whereineach of said at least two ring tubular members 24 has a tubular memberwidth (i.e., diameter), tm, that ranges from about 0.5 in to about 4.0in (or any value between 0.5 in and 4.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in,e.g., 1.0 in, or any range of values between 0.5 in and 4.0 in, inincrements of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 0.6 in to about 1.5 in).34. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 29 to 33, whereinsaid two or more ring members 20 comprises from about 3 to about 8 ringmembers 20 (or any value between 3 and 8, in increments of 1, e.g., 4,or any range of values between 3 and 8, in increments of 1, e.g., fromabout 4 to about 7).35. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 34, whereineach of (i) said base pan member 10, (ii) said at least two rod members14, and (iii) said one or more additional accessories (and (iv) said twoor more ring members 20) comprises a material selected from metal,ceramic, polymer, cellulosic, and any combination thereof.36. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 35, whereineach of (i) said base pan member 10, (ii) said at least two rod members14, and (iii) said one or more additional accessories (and (iv) said twoor more ring members 20) comprises aluminum or steel. In some desiredembodiments, said base pan member 10, said at least two rod members 14,and said two or more ring members 20 each independently comprises carbonsteel.37. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 36, whereinsaid base pan member 10 further comprises two or more rod memberconnectors 16 positioned along an outer surface 131 (or an inner surface133) of said one or more side walls 13, each of said two or more rodmember connectors 16 being sized to connect to a rod member 14 of saidat least two rod members 14. As shown in FIGS. 1-17 , in someembodiments, fire pit system 100 of the present invention comprises tworod member connectors 16. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS.18-21B, fire pit system 100 of the present invention may comprise up totwelve, as shown, rod member connectors 16. Further, as shown in FIGS.18-21B, rod member connectors 16 may be formed within said one or moreside walls 13, as opposed to being positioned along an outer surface 131or an inner surface 133 of said one or more side walls 13.38. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 37, whereinsaid base pan member 10 further comprises at least two rod memberconnectors 16 in the form of base pan tubular members positioned alongsides 15 a/15 b (e.g., opposite sides 15 a/15 b)(or an inner surface133) of said pan outer periphery 12, each of said at least two rodmember connectors 16 (i.e., in the form of base pan tubular members)having a base pan tubular member diameter d_(bptm) that enables endportions 171 of each of said at least two rod members 14 to bepositioned therein. Although not shown, each rod member connector 16 maycomprise any mechanism for attaching a given rod member 14 of said atleast two rod members 14 to said base pan member 10. For example, clamps(not shown), nuts/bolts (not shown), etc. may be used instead of rodmember connectors 16 in the form of base pan tubular members althoughrod member connectors 16 in the form of base pan tubular members arepreferred.39. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 38, wherein said base panmember 10 further comprises at least one base pan tubular member stopmember 18 within each rod member connector 16, each base pan tubularmember stop member 18 being designed to provide a stop for an endportion 4171 of a given rod member 14 positioned within the rod memberconnector 16.40. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 29 to 39, whereinsaid two or more ring members 20 are positionable and stackable alongsaid at least two rod members 14 so that said ring outer periphery 22 ispositioned above and within said pan outer periphery 12.41. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 29 to 40, whereineach of (i) said base pan member 10, (ii) said at least two rod members14, (iii) said one or more additional accessories, and (iv) said two ormore ring members 20 are attachable and detachable from one another.42. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 20 to 41, whereineach of said three or more pan legs 30 are attachable and detachablefrom said base pan member 10.43. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 20 to 24 and 26 to42, wherein said three or more pan legs 30 comprises three pan legs 30.44. The fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 43, whereinsaid base pan member 10 further comprises one or more handles 132positioned along an outer side surface 131 of said base pan member 10,each of said one or more handles 132 being sized so as to enable a userto grasp and move said base pan member 10.45. The fire pit system 100 of embodiment 44, wherein said one or morehandles 132 comprises two handles 132 on opposite sides of said base panmember 10. As shown in FIGS. 9-14 , griddle 40 may also comprise one ormore griddle handles 49 on opposite sides of griddle 40, and grill 50may also comprise one or more grill handles 59 on opposite sides ofgrill 50.

Kits for Forming Fire Pit Systems

46. A kit 200 for forming the fire pit system 100 of any one ofembodiments 1 to 45, said kit 200 comprising any combination of the firepit system 100 components and features recited in embodiments 1 to 45.For example, some kits 200 may comprise base pan member 10, at least tworod members 14, and two or more ring members 20. Other kits 200 maycomprise base pan member 10, at least two rod members 14, two or morering members 20, griddle 40, and said grill 50. Yet other kits 200 maycomprise base pan member 10, at least two rod members 14, three to sixring members 20, griddle 40, grill 50, and three pan legs 30. Yet otherkits 200 may comprise base pan member 10, from four to ten rod members14, three to six ring members 20, griddle 40, grill 50, four pan legs30, and at least two wheels 70. In addition, kits 200 may furthercomprise any of the above-described accessories such as a coffee pot(not shown), a Dutch oven (not shown), a tubular spacer (i.e., notshown, but similar to a ring tubular member 24 alone), a pot holder 73,a horizontal bar 74 extending between two rod members 14 of said atleast two rod members 14, a warming tray 75, In all kits 200, the kitcomponents are attachable and detachable from one another, so that thekit components can be at least partially nested with one another forstorage and transport. See, for example, partially nested kit componentsin exemplary kit 200 shown in FIG. 20 . See also, transportable fire pitsystem 100 shown in FIG. 21B, which may provide storage of one or moreaccessories above or below base pan member lower wall 11.47. A kit 200 for forming a fire pit system 100, said kit 200comprising: (I) a base pan member 10 comprising: a base pan member lowerwall 11 having a pan outer periphery 12, and one or more side walls 13extending upward from said base pan member lower wall 11 and along saidpan outer periphery 12; (II) at least two rod members 14 extendingupward along opposite sides 15 a/15 b of said pan outer periphery 12;and one or more of: (III)(A) a griddle 40 that is attachable to anddetachable from at least one of said at least two rod members 14;(III)(B) a grill 50 that is attachable to and detachable from at leastone of said at least two rod members 14; and

-   -   (III)(C) two or more ring members 20, each ring member 20        comprising: a ring base 21 having a ring outer periphery 22, at        least two ring connectors 23 along opposite sides 25 a/25 b of        said ring outer periphery 22, and at least two ring tubular        members 24 extending substantially perpendicular to said ring        base 21, said at least two ring tubular members 24 being        attached to said ring base 21 via said at least two ring        connectors 23; wherein each ring tubular member 24 has a tubular        diameter d_(tm) that enables said two or more ring members 20 to        be positioned and stacked along said at least two rod members        14.        48. The kit 200 of embodiment 47, further comprising three or        more pan legs 30 extending downward from said base pan member        lower wall 11 proximate said pan outer periphery 12.        49. The kit 200 of embodiment 48, further comprising two or more        wheels 70 connected to at least two legs 30 within said three or        more pan legs 30.        50. The kit 200 of any one of embodiments 47 to 49, wherein said        kit 200 comprises (III)(A) a griddle 40 that is attachable to        and detachable from at least one of said at least two rod        members 14.        51. The kit 200 of any one of embodiments 47 to 50, wherein said        kit 200 comprises (III)(B) a grill 50 that is attachable to and        detachable from at least one of said at least two rod members        14.        52. The kit 200 of any one of embodiments 47 to 51, wherein said        kit 200 comprises (III)(C) two or more ring members 20, each        ring member 20 comprising: a ring base 21 having a ring outer        periphery 22, at least two ring connectors 23 along opposite        sides 25 a/25 b of said ring outer periphery 22, and at least        two ring tubular members 24 extending substantially        perpendicular to said ring base 21, said at least two ring        tubular members 24 being attached to said ring base 21 via said        at least two ring connectors 23; wherein each ring tubular        member 24 has a tubular diameter d_(tm) that enables said two or        more ring members 20 to be positioned and stacked along said at        least two rod members 14.        53. The kit 200 of any one of embodiments 47 to 52, wherein said        kit 200 comprises from three to six ring members 20.        54. The kit 200 of any one of embodiments 47 to 53, wherein said        kit 200 has overall kit dimensions comprising (i) a kit height,        k_(h), ranging from about 5.0 in to about 24.0 in (or any value        between 5.0 in and 24.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 12.0        in, or any range of values between 5.0 in and 24.0 in, in        increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 12.8 in to about 14.6        in), (ii) a kit width, k_(w), ranging from about 8.0 in to about        36.0 in (or any value between 8.0 in and 36.0 in, in increments        of 0.1 in, e.g., 24.0 in, or any range of values between 8.0 in        and 36.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from about 16.8 in        to about 24.4 in), and (iii) a kit width ranging from about 8.0        in to about 82.0 in (or any value between 8.0 in and 82.0 in, in        increments of 0.1 in, e.g., 24.0 in, or any range of values        between 8.0 in and 82.0 in, in increments of 0.1 in, e.g., from        about 16.8 in to about 24.4 in).        55. The kit 200 of any one of embodiments 47 to 54, further        comprising a carrying case (not shown) sized to house said kit        200 for storage and transport.

Methods of Making Fire Pit Systems

56. A method of making the fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments1 to 45 or the kit 200 of any one of embodiments 46 to 55, said methodcomprising: forming the base pan member 10; forming the at least two rodmembers 14; and forming at least one of: (I) the two or more ringmembers 20, (II) the griddle 40, and (III) the grill 50.57. The method of embodiment 56, wherein said method comprises formingthe griddle 40.58. The method of embodiment 56 or 57, wherein said method comprisesforming the grill 50.59. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 58, wherein said methodcomprises forming the two or more ring members 20.60. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 59, wherein each formingstep independently comprises at least one of a machining step, a weldingstep, a cutting step, a thermoforming step, a heat-setting step, or anycombination thereof.

Methods of Using Fire Pit Systems

61. A method of using the fire pit system 100 of any one of embodiments1 to 45 or the kit 200 of any one of embodiments 46 to 56, said methodcomprising: burning a combustible material (not shown) within the basepan member 10.

62. The method of embodiment 61, wherein the combustible materialcomprises wood, charcoal, lump charcoal, or any combination thereof.

63. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 62, further comprising:attaching the at least two rod members 14 to the base pan member 10.

64. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 63, further comprising:attaching the three or more pan legs 30 to the base pan member 10.

65. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 64, further comprising:attaching one or more additional accessories to at least one of the atleast two rod members 14, the one or more additional accessoriescomprising a griddle 40, a grill 50, a coffee pot (not shown), a Dutchoven (not shown), a tubular spacer (i.e., not shown, but similar to aring tubular member 24 alone), a pot holder 73, a horizontal bar 74extending between two rod members 14 of said at least two rod members14, a warming tray 75, or any combination thereof.66. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 65, further comprising:cooking food (not shown) above the base pan member 10.67. The method of any one of embodiments 61 to 66, further comprising:positioning the combustible material (not shown) within the base panmember 10.68. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 67, further comprising:positioning the two or more ring members 20 on the at least two rodmembers 14.69. The method of any one of embodiments 61 to 68, further comprising:positioning the two or more ring members 20 along the at least two rodmembers 14 so as to prevent the combustible material (not shown) fromfalling out of the base pan member 10.70. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 69, further comprising:disassembling all of the components of the fire pit system 100.71. The method of any one of embodiments 56 to 70, further comprising:packaging all of the components of the fire pit system 100 within acarrying case (not shown).

It should be understood that although the above-described fire pitsystems, and methods are described as “comprising” one or morecomponents or steps, the above-described fire pit systems, and methodsmay “comprise,” “consists of,” or “consist essentially of” any of theabove-described components or steps of the fire pit systems, andmethods. Consequently, where the present invention, or a portionthereof, has been described with an open-ended term such as“comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwisestated) the description of the present invention, or the portionthereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention,or a portion thereof, using the terms “consisting essentially of” or“consisting of” or variations thereof as discussed below.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having,” “contains”, “containing,” “characterizedby” or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass anon-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicatedotherwise, of the recited components. For example, a fire pit systemand/or method that “comprises” a list of elements (e.g., components orsteps) is not necessarily limited to only those elements (or componentsor steps), but may include other elements (or components or steps) notexpressly listed or inherent to the fire pit system and/or method.

As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists of” and “consistingof” exclude any element, step, or component not specified. For example,“consists of” or “consisting of” used in a claim would limit the claimto the components, materials or steps specifically recited in the claimexcept for impurities ordinarily associated therewith (i.e., impuritieswithin a given component). When the phrase “consists of” or “consistingof” appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediatelyfollowing the preamble, the phrase “consists of” or “consisting of”limits only the elements (or components or steps) set forth in thatclause; other elements (or components) are not excluded from the claimas a whole.

As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists essentially of” and“consisting essentially of” are used to define a protective fire pitsystem and/or method that includes materials, steps, features,components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed,provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components,or elements do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term “consistingessentially of” occupies a middle ground between “comprising” and“consisting of”.

Further, it should be understood that the herein-described fire pitsystems and/or methods may comprise, consist essentially of, or consistof any of the herein-described components and features, as shown in thefigures with or without any feature(s) not shown in the figures. Inother words, in some embodiments, the fire pit systems and/or methods ofthe present invention do not have any additional features other thanthose shown in the figures, and such additional features, not shown inthe figures, are specifically excluded from the fire pit systems and/ormethods. In other embodiments, the fire pit systems and/or methods ofthe present invention do have one or more additional features that arenot shown in the figures.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples,which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations uponthe scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood thatresort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, andequivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, maysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appendedclaims.

EXAMPLE 1

Fire pit systems and kits, similar to exemplary fire pit system 100 andexemplary kit 200 shown in FIGS. 1-21B, were prepared.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilledin the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, mayreadily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents tothese embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionshould be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalentsthereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire pit system comprising: a base pan membercomprising: a bottom surface; a plurality of side walls extending upwardfrom the bottom surface along an outer periphery of the base pan member,at least two base pan connectors rigidly coupled to the plurality ofside walls and having an internal diameter defining a rod receivingregion; and three or more leg connectors positioned along a lowersurface of said base pan member proximate said outer periphery; three ormore pan legs having an upper portion respectively positioned inside ofone of said three or more leg connectors and extending downwardtherefrom, each of said three or more pan legs being attachable anddetachable from said three or more leg connectors; three or more pan legfoot pads respectively positioned at an end portion of one of said threeor more pan legs opposite said three or more leg connectors; at leasttwo rod members each comprising a respective end portion having an outerdiameter that is less the internal diameter such that the respective endportion is positioned within the rod receiving region of one of said atleast two base pan connectors, wherein each of said at least two rodmembers is secured within the rod receiving region by a respective stopmember coupled to the at least two base pan connectors; and one or moreadditional accessories that include a respective accessory connectorcoupled around one of the at least two rod members to extend the one ormore additional accessories over the base pan member, wherein theaccessory connector is secured in place on one of said at least two rodmembers by an attachment member actuated into a holding position,wherein, when the attachment member is released from the holdingposition, the accessory connector is free to move up, down, and off ofthe one of the at least two rod members so as to reposition and removethe one or more additional accessories from the fire pit system, whereinthe respective accessory connector includes a cylindrical tube coupledto an accessory support structure, wherein the accessory supportstructure couples to the cylindrical tube and to one of the one or moreadditional accessories, wherein the cylindrical tube is configured tofit around one of the at least two rod members such that the accessorysupport structure suspends the one or more accessories over the base panmember substantially perpendicular to the one of the at least two rodmembers when the cylindrical tube is coupled around the one of the atleast two rod members; wherein the cylindrical tube has length greaterthan a thickness of the accessory support structure.
 2. The fire pitsystem of claim 1, wherein said one or more additional accessoriescomprises a grill.
 3. The fire pit system of claim 1, wherein said oneor more additional accessories comprises a griddle holder having asupport structure rigidly coupled to the accessory connector, whereinthe support structure defines a region configured to accept at least aportion of a griddle accessory being nested therein.
 4. The fire pitsystem of claim 3, further comprising: the griddle accessory nestedwithin the region of the support structure.
 5. The fire pit system ofclaim 1, wherein said base pan member lower wall has four to eight sidewalls.
 6. The fire pit system of claim 5, wherein said base pan memberlower wall has seven side walls.
 7. The fire pit system of claim 1,wherein said three or more leg connectors comprise four leg connectors;said three or more pan legs comprise four pan legs; and said three ormore pan leg foot pads comprise four pan leg foot pads.
 8. A method ofusing the fire pit system of claim 1, said method comprising: burning acombustible material within the base pan member.
 9. The fire pit systemof claim 1, wherein said at least two base pan connectors comprise arespective cylindrical tube having at least one opening configured toenable the end portion of one of the at least two rod members to passinto the rod receiving region.
 10. A fire pit system comprising: a basepan; first and second rod members including respective end portionshaving a respective outer diameter; a first cylindrical tube connectorrigidly coupled to the base pan and including a first rod receivingregion defined by a first opening and a first internal diameter that islarger than the respective outer diameter of the first rod member,wherein the first rod receiving region receives the respective endportion of the first rod member such that the first cylindrical tubeconnector surrounds the respective end portion of the first rod memberand the first rod member extends upward from the base pan; a secondcylindrical tube connector rigidly coupled to the base pan and includinga second rod receiving region defined by a second opening and a secondinternal diameter that is larger than the respective outer diameter ofthe second rod member, wherein the second rod receiving region receivesthe respective end portion of the second rod member such that the secondcylindrical tube connector surrounds the respective end portion of thesecond rod member and the second rod member extends upward from the basepan; a first rod stop member that releasably couples the first rodmember within the first rod receiving region; a second rod stop memberthat releasably couples the second rod member within the second rodreceiving region; four leg connectors rigidly coupled to an underside ofthe fire bowl; four legs having a respective upper portion positionedinside and surrounded by a respective one of the four leg connectors andextending downward therefrom and respective end portion opposite theupper portion having a respective foot pad coupled thereto; four legstop members that releasably couple the respective upper portions of thefour legs within the respective ones of the four leg connectors; agriddle accessory; a griddle holder accessory including a firstcylindrical tube coupler positioned around the first rod member and afirst support structure rigidly coupled to first cylindrical tubecoupler, wherein the support structure defines a region in which thegriddle accessory is removably nested; a griddle attachment member thatreleasably couples the first cylindrical tube coupler to the first rodmember when the griddle attachment member is actuated into a firstholding position, wherein when the griddle attachment member is releasedfrom the first holding position, the first cylindrical tube coupler isfree to move up, down, and off of the first rod member so as toreposition and remove the griddle holder accessory form the fire pitsystem, wherein the griddle attachment member couples to the firstcylindrical tube coupler and to the griddle accessory, and wherein thefirst cylindrical tube coupler is configured to fit around the first rodmember such that the griddle attachment member suspends the griddleaccessory over the base pan substantially perpendicular to the first rodmember when the first cylindrical tube coupler is coupled around thefirst rod member; a grill accessory including a second cylindrical tubecoupler positioned around the second rod member and a second supportstructure rigidly coupled to the second cylindrical tube coupler anddefining a grill surface; and a grill attachment member that releasablycouples the second cylindrical tube coupler to the second rod memberwhen the grill attachment member is actuated into a second holdingposition, wherein when the grill attachment member is released from thesecond holding position, the second cylindrical tube coupler is free tomove up, down, and off of the second rod member so as to reposition andremove the grill accessory form the fire pit system, wherein the grillattachment member couples to the second cylindrical tube coupler and tothe grill accessory, wherein the second cylindrical tube coupler isconfigured to fit around the second rod member such that the grillattachment member suspends the grill accessory over the base pansubstantially perpendicular to the second rod member when the secondcylindrical tube coupler is coupled around the second rod member;wherein each of the first and second cylindrical tubes has lengthgreater than a thickness of each of the first and second accessorysupport structures, respectively.
 11. The fire pit system of claim 10,wherein the base pan includes one to eight side walls integrallyconnected to and extending upward from a bottom surface of the base pan.12. The fire pit system of claim 11, wherein said one to eight sidewalls is seven side walls.
 13. The fire pit system of claim 11 furthercomprising a plurality of handles coupled to the one to eight sidewalls.